Jannik Sinner’s relentless pursuit of tennis greatness continues to captivate fans as the world number one stormed through his opening match at the 2025 Cincinnati Open, emphatically dismissing Daniel Elahi Galan in just 59 minutes. On August 9th at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio, Sinner produced a clinical 6-1, 6-1 victory, reaffirming why he’s the man to beat on hard courts this summer.
Any fears of a post-Wimbledon lull were quickly put to rest. After a rollercoaster Grand Slam season—marked by a second Australian Open crown, a heartbreakingly close French Open final loss to Carlos Alcaraz, and sweet revenge with a Wimbledon title over the same rival—Sinner’s return to the ATP Tour has been nothing short of electric. Having withdrawn from the Canadian Open to recharge, the Italian maestro made it clear in Cincinnati that he’s fit, focused, and fiercely determined to defend both his Cincinnati and US Open titles.
“I’m one kind of person who takes the confidence out of the practice sessions, and when I feel ready physically, when I feel ready mentally, when I feel that the shots are in the right spots that’s, you know, I’m just ready to play. I feel confident and that’s exactly what we did also after London,” Sinner told reporters after his dominant win over Galan. The Italian star emphasized that his preparation—long days at the tennis club, grueling physical training, and relentless attention to detail—fuels his self-belief more than tournament results alone. “You wake up early and you go to sleep actually quite late and I take my confidence from there, not from tournaments played or matches played.”
That confidence has translated into one of the most impressive records in men’s tennis. Since capturing his first Masters 1000 title at the 2023 Canadian Open, Sinner has notched 73 wins against just two losses—a remarkable feat that underlines his consistency at the highest level. His only defeats in that stretch came against Dusan Lajovic at the 2023 Cincinnati Open and Alexander Bublik at the 2025 Halle Open. For the Italian, every match is another opportunity to cement his legacy among the sport’s all-time greats.
But Sinner’s path in Cincinnati is set to become even more intriguing as he faces a rising star in the third round: Canadian Gabriel Diallo. The 30th seed arrives brimming with confidence after breaking into the world’s top 100 and claiming his maiden ATP Tour title earlier this year in ’s-Hertogenbosch. Diallo’s powerful serve and baseline game have turned heads on tour, and his recent performances suggest he’s ready for a breakout moment. Notably, he pushed Taylor Fritz to the limit in a thrilling second-round clash at Wimbledon, forcing the American to play “near-perfect” tennis to advance.
For Diallo, the showdown with Sinner is an opportunity to score the biggest win of his young career and boost his chances of being seeded at the US Open. The Canadian will need to bring his A-game—serving aggressively, stepping inside the court, and taking control of rallies with his athleticism and shot-making. Sinner, meanwhile, will look to dictate with his forehand, test Diallo’s tactical variety, and probe for weaknesses. It’s a classic battle of established brilliance versus youthful ambition, and fans are eager to see if Diallo can rise to the challenge or if Sinner’s hard-court dominance will roll on.
Elsewhere in Cincinnati, the women’s draw is heating up with compelling storylines of its own. Amanda Anisimova, now ranked fifth in the world, continues her remarkable resurgence after reaching the Wimbledon final. The American has battled through mental health struggles to reclaim her place among the elite, and her recent surge has her eyeing another deep run on home soil. Anisimova is set to face Anna Kalinskaya, the 28th seed, who has enjoyed a solid hard-court swing, including a finals appearance in Washington and two impressive wins in Montreal. Kalinskaya dispatched Peyton Stearns in her Cincinnati opener, and she’s determined to prove she can challenge the game’s best on a regular basis.
This upcoming clash promises fireworks. Anisimova will aim to serve with authority and use her signature backhand to pressure Kalinskaya into errors. On the other side, Kalinskaya will look to neutralize Anisimova’s power with her forehand and creative use of angles, hoping to force the American into uncomfortable positions. It’s a matchup that could go the distance, with Anisimova’s recent confidence perhaps giving her a slight edge. As the US Open looms, both players are looking to build momentum and stake their claim as legitimate title contenders.
The men’s draw also features a fascinating third-round encounter between Stefanos Tsitsipas and Benjamin Bonzi. Tsitsipas, seeded 28th, has endured a challenging season, struggling to string together victories after his title run in Dubai earlier this year. His first-round win in Cincinnati snapped a five-match losing streak and could be just the spark he needs to regain his form. Standing in his way is Bonzi, who has been in scintillating touch—knocking out Daniil Medvedev at Wimbledon and following up with a gutsy win over Lorenzo Musetti in Cincinnati. The Frenchman’s big serve and deft net play have caused headaches for top players, and he’ll be eager to snap his own three-match losing streak against Tsitsipas.
Tactically, Tsitsipas will look to use his backhand to force mistakes from Bonzi, while the Frenchman will target Tsitsipas’s forehand and seek to finish points at the net. With both players hungry for a breakthrough, this one could come down to who handles the big moments better—a department where Tsitsipas has struggled of late. Bonzi’s confidence and aggressive approach might just give him the edge.
As the Cincinnati Open barrels toward its later rounds, the tournament is already delivering on its promise of drama, upsets, and high-stakes tennis. With Sinner’s quest for back-to-back titles in full swing, rising stars eager to make their mark, and established names fighting to recapture their best form, every match feels like a glimpse into the future of the sport. The action is far from over, and fans can expect more twists and turns as the world’s best battle it out under the Ohio sun.
For now, all eyes are on Sinner and his upcoming clash with Diallo—a match that could shape the narrative of the summer hard-court season. Whether the Italian’s preparation and precision will prevail, or Diallo’s fearless play will spark a seismic upset, remains to be seen. One thing’s certain: the Cincinnati Open is serving up tennis at its finest.
